Session: IMECE Undergraduate Research and Design Exposition

Paper Number: 113970

113970 - Analysis of the Impact of Solar Radiation Through Windows on an Indoor Environment Air Thermal Performance, a Case Study. 

Energy conservation and its optimal usage for indoor air conditioning is critical, even more so in tropical countries where indoor air comfort for humans is a crucial parameter on any building. Despite the fact that the temperature does not reach peak values year round, the humidity also contributes to a higher thermal sensation. This study case presents not only a question of efficient energy consumption, but also of foresight into the construction phase itself. 

Windows provide natural light to indoor environments, the orientation with respect to incident solar light plays a big role in the thermal profile of any building. It is reasonable to assume that solar radiation is one of the main contributors to temperature rise in closed ambients. This is a case study where the analysis focuses on the effect of solar incidence through windows onto the floors and how this affects the thermal air conditioning performance in a closed space. In this work, a comparison of different solar radiation angles is shown. Each angle results in a different solar footprint area on the floor. For this investigation, the commercial computational tool Solidworks Flow Simulation was utilized. According to the results from this simulation, the greatest temperature rise inside the closed space occurs when the surface area of incidence is greatest, which is at a 30 degree angle of incidence.

In order to better understand the warming mechanism, several simplifications and assumptions were made. Some variables such as emissivity and glass light absorption were not taken into consideration. Also, the air conditioning system was considered for this analysis just as air circulation mode only. Wall conditions were set as adiabatic. Constant surface temperature at the light footprint was considered as the only source of heat. The surface temperature values were obtained through actual in situ measurements. The actual feel of comfort will not necessarily depend on this temperature rise only, several factors might be more significant for accomplishing this goal. However, this work would allow architects and civil engineers to better design windows dimensions based on solar radiation orientation to achieve the lowest temperature rise, as well as to take into account the use of polarizers and curtains to mitigate effects of the radiation. Finally, this is a case study applied to a classroom in a university located in Paraguay, (which is why it holds more relevance, considering the importance of a well thermally conditioned environment for classes, long hours of lectures and study.)

Presenting Author: Marcos Benitez Facultad de Ingenieria - Universidad Nacional de Asuncion

Presenting Author Biography: Undergraduate student from the deparment of Electromechanical engineering.

Authors:

Marcos Benitez Facultad de Ingenieria - Universidad Nacional de Asuncion
Jose Osorio Facultad de Ingenieria - Universidad Nacional de Asuncion
Jose Lopez Facultad de Ingenieria - Universidad Nacional de Asuncion
Matias Vanuno Facultad de Ingenieria - Universidad Nacional de Asuncion
Arturo Machuca Facultad de Ingenieria - Universidad Nacional de Asuncion
Francisco Baez Facultad de Ingenieria - Universidad Nacional de Asuncion
Joel Irala Facultad de Ingenieria - Universidad Nacional de Asuncion
Jorge Kurita Facultad de Ingenieria - Universidad Nacional de Asuncion